Manly Sea Eagles sensation Jason Saab has unlocked a new level of performance by studying the training methods of football legend Cristiano Ronaldo and incorporating elite sprint techniques into his regimen.
The towering winger, renowned as one of the NRL's fastest players, has completely transformed his approach to fitness and recovery after an injury-plagued period threatened to derail his promising career.
The Ronaldo Revolution
"I've watched countless documentaries on Cristiano Ronaldo," Saab revealed. "His dedication to recovery and maintaining peak physical condition is incredible. Seeing how he treats his body like a temple really inspired me to step up my own game."
Saab has implemented Ronaldo's philosophy of prioritising recovery as seriously as training itself. The 23-year-old now focuses extensively on cryotherapy, compression therapy, and meticulous nutrition - methods that have helped extend Ronaldo's career at the highest level into his late 30s.
Elite Sprint Training Breakthrough
Beyond studying football greats, Saab has worked intensively with professional sprint athletes to refine his running technique and maximise his natural speed advantages.
"Working with proper sprinters has been game-changing," Saab explained. "They've helped me understand the mechanics of acceleration and top-end speed in ways that traditional rugby training doesn't cover."
The specialised training has focused on:
- Perfecting drive phase mechanics for explosive starts
- Improving stride length and frequency efficiency
- Enhancing running economy for sustained speed over 80 minutes
- Developing specific strength for directional changes at pace
Overcoming Injury Adversity
This new approach came as a necessity after Saab suffered multiple hamstring injuries that limited his impact during the 2023 season. Rather than accepting recurring injuries as part of the game, the Sea Eagles flyer completely reinvented his preparation.
"The injuries were frustrating, but they forced me to look at everything differently," Saab admitted. "I realised I needed to be smarter about how I train and recover, not just work harder."
The results have been dramatic, with Saab displaying improved durability and even greater speed during the current campaign, establishing himself as one of the most feared outside backs in the competition.
A New Standard for NRL Wingers
Saab's innovative approach could set a new benchmark for how NRL wingers prepare, blending traditional rugby league training with methods from track athletics and global football.
"The game is evolving so quickly," Saab noted. "To stay ahead, you need to look outside our sport and learn from the best athletes in the world, regardless of their code."
As Manly pushes for finals contention, Saab's enhanced physical condition and refined speed could prove the difference in tight matches, giving the Sea Eagles an X-factor that few teams can match.
